Benefis Birth Center

Our Mission

We specialize in promoting wellness and strengthening the family unit by facilitating a family's healthy adaptation - physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually - to their new roles.

Congratulations! We are so excited to be able to share the incredible experience of childbirth with you, and we want to help you through the process as best we can. We understand that while this time of your life will be very exciting, it is very normal to feel stressed, uneasy and maybe a little scared. Most of all, we know you have many questions about the changes to your body and to your life that baby will bring. We will do our best to make this experience go as smoothly as we can and to help answer your questions.

From preparing for the birth experience to learning how to care for your newborn, you can expect personal attention from qualified and experienced professionals. We are prepared to provide you with the best our region can offer in labor and delivery, postpartum and intensive neonatal care. With our excellent staff of nurses, doctors and specialists, you don’t need to worry during your stay with us.

Personalized Service

We understand that each new mom and family that stays with us in the Benefis Birth Center has individual needs. We encourage you to work with your health care provider to work out your birthing plan. You have many choices in your birthing experience. Who would you like assisting and attending your birth experience? How do you want to manage pain during labor? Would you like to breastfeed or bottle feed? Once you decide on all of these important questions, our skilled nurses and staff will work with you to be sure that we meet your personal wishes. We want to be certain you and your families are healthy and happy throughout your stay with us.

Expertise

Benefis Birth Center employees strive to actively reflect the Mission, Vision and Values of Benefis Health System. Teamwork, years of experience and focus on up-to-date education make Benefis Birth Center a compassionate, high-quality choice for any family.

The physicians at Benefis are the best in the state. With an average of 1400 babies born at Benefis each year, we have the experience and expertise you deserve. Our experienced staff will work hard to be sure you are safe, comfortable and cared for during your say.

What to Expect

In October 2009 Benefis Birth Center moved into a beautiful, brand-new unit located on the 7th floor of our East Campus South Tower. The new Birth Center consists of 19 LDRPs (labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum) rooms; five rooms for high-risk pregnancies; two operating rooms; and a three-bed triage area.

The LDRP rooms allow you to stay in one room during your stay. Each LDRP is equipped to care for both mom and baby. Your support person is welcome to be in the room with you during delivery. Our rooms provide maximum comfort for mother, baby and support person.

When you arrive at the Birth Center you will be admitted to one of the rooms on the unit. A nurse will then complete an evaluation and cervical exam to determine how your labor is progressing. Electronic equipment (fetal monitoring) is used to help record your contractions and your baby's heart beat.

After delivery, the baby is cared for in your room. All equipment and supplies needed to care for your baby are in the room. Mothers and babies are encouraged to be together all of the time. Babies are no longer taken to the nursery away from their moms.

When you and your baby are healthy and safe, we will begin to assist you in preparing to return home. We offer follow-up services through our Postpartum Clinic along with education in the hospital to help you care for yourself and your baby.

Exams

Each day during hospitalization, newborns are examined by their care provider in your room. Parents are encouraged to ask questions during this time.

Length of Stay

Mothers and babies are encouraged to be together all the time. One nurse will care for the mother and baby as a "couplet", answering questions about both you and your baby. New mothers and babies remain in the Mother/Baby Unit Rooms until discharge. The entire length of hospital stay - from admission to Labor and Delivery to discharge - is usually 1½ to 4 days, depending on the type of delivery.

Security

The security and safety of babies in our care is one of the highest priorities. We have a system of infant monitoring, security patrols and staff training to assure that your baby is protected and safe.

Lactation Counselors

Lactation counselors are available to help moms and babies that are having difficulty with nursing.

Special Services

To help ensure the health of you and your newborn before you go home, there are a few minor tests and support services we'd like you to consider. These services can help detect problems that can be addressed early in your child’s life to avoid future complications. We're here in any way we can to make sure both mom and baby are healthy and happy.

Newborn Hearing Screening

Most babies hear well at birth, but a few do not. We test all babies to find if any have hearing loss. It is important to find hearing loss as soon as possible. If hearing loss is not found right away, these babies could have a difficult time learning. But when found early on, there are many ways we can help your baby.

The test is safe and painless and can be done in about 10 minutes. Most babies sleep through the test. You will get the results before you leave the hospital. Be sure to tell the hospital the name of your baby's healthcare professional so they can send them the results as well.

Some babies may need another test because of:

fluid in the ears

noise in the testing room

baby was moving a lot

baby has hearing loss

Most babies who need another test have normal hearing. Some will have hearing loss. Within a week after discharge you will have an appointment at the Postpartum Clinic to have your babies hearing tested again. If you have questions about your baby's hearing, please talk with your baby's healthcare professional.

Newborn Screening

Before being sent home from the hospital, we conduct a newborn screening test on all newborns. A few drops of blood are drawn from the baby's heel, put on special paper and sent to the State of Montana laboratory to test for possible disorders such as hypothyroidism. Although most disorders are rare, they are usually serious. Some may affect your baby in the first few days or weeks of life and make your baby very ill. They may affect physical development or cause other problems. Early testing of your baby is important. Early treatment will prevent some, if not all, of the problems associated with a disorder.

Your baby's healthcare provider will receive a report of the results. You may ask for the results when you take your baby in for a check-up. You will be notified if another test is needed to see if your baby has a problem.

Postpartum Clinic

For babies born at Benefis, our Postpartum Clinic is available for mom and their newborn as follow-up during the first weeks after delivery. The Postpartum Clinic is staffed by OB nurses who are also certified lactation counselors. Moms may be helped with breastfeeding or other problems; babies will be weighed and assessed. The Postpartum Clinic is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. most Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays and by appointment only. It is located on the 7th Floor of Benefis East Campus South Tower. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 406.731.8786.

Pre-Admission Program

Benefis Hospitals offers a pre-admission program that helps you prepare for the big day. One to two months before your due date, call to pre-register. We will help gather all the needed information for admission, give you an education book, and an individual tour of our unit. This will make your stay with us go even smoother. To make an appointment, call 406.731.8785.

Childbirth Education Classes

Benefis knows that every new mother has questions about her new baby's care, and we also know how to answer those questions. Benefis offers many very informative childbirth education classes for mom and the whole family.

Most families begin their experience with the Benefis Birth Center during prenatal education classes taught by nurses from our unit who are specially trained in the education process. We offer various classes to help your new family start out on the right foot. You can choose to take one or all of the classes offered. All Benefis classes are offered monthly, and we encourage the mother to take classes one to two months before delivery. See our CALENDAR for more information.

Understanding Birth: A Series of 6 Educational Sessions

In this educational class, we will offer a six-week series that will consist of:

Pregnancy

Labor

Comfort Techniques in Labor

Medical Procedures and Cesarean Birth

Caring for a Newborn

Postpartum issues

New moms and their support person are encouraged to sign up to start a session when they are between 20-28 weeks. Cost is $60 per six class series; waivers are available. Classes will take place Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Call 406.455.5553 for more information, or register HERE.

New Baby Day Camp for Siblings

For the ‘big’ brothers and sisters in the family! Children will receive a backpack, read stories, swaddle life-like dolls and take a hike through the Benefis Birth Center in this class that describes what it’s like to have a new baby at home. Bring a camera! 6–7:15 p.m., $5 per child; waivers available. Register HERE.

Breastfeeding

This class offers a wealth of information on breastfeeding basics, including benefits for mom and baby, positioning, proper latch and signs that baby is getting enough. Moms will gain confidence in their ability to breastfeed their babies! 4–5:30 p.m., $10 fee; waivers available. Register HERE.

Breastfeeding Online E-learning Education Program

Learn about breastfeeding in a fun interactive way! You’ll find over 30 demonstration videos, animated illustrations, interactive games and interviews with lactation consultants. In addition, our online breastfeeding education program covers all the basics of breastfeeding including the benefits of breastfeeding, techniques for positioning and latch-on, collecting and storing breast milk, caring for your self and much more. For more information on this program call 406.731.8786. Log on HERE.

Childbirth Refresher Course

A Friday/Saturday class offered as a review for parents who've attended childbirth classes during a previous pregnancy or an alternative class for first-time parents who are unable to attend the six week series. Abbreviated information offered on all of the topics presented during the Monday series. (Pregnancy, Labor, Comfort Techniques, Medical Procedures & Cesarean Birth, Newborns and Postpartum)
Friday 6-9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m., $35 fee per mom; waivers available. For more information about these classes call 406.455.5553, or register HERE.

Helpful Links

For even more information, click on these pregnancy and baby links to help you in your research: